Varsity preview: 5 teams with luck on their side

FOOTBALL 2013 PREVIEW

Controversial call benefitted Apopka in Class 8A state title game

Here is a look at five teams who relied on skill — and a little luck — to pull through in tight spots last season.

Apopka

The Blue Darters' winning drive in the Class 8A state final at the Florida Citrus Bowl was resuscitated after a questionable roughing-the-passer call negated QB Zack Darlington's interception with 3 minutes, 31 seconds left. Apopka went on to score, defeating Weston Cypress Bay 53-50.

Boone

After coaching the Braves for 251 games, Phil Ziglar's last contest ended on junior Austin Jones' 34-yard field goal with five seconds left to give Boone a 13-12 victory against Edgewater in a regular-season finale. Few are fortunate enough to go out on such a high note.

DeLand

The Bulldogs avoided an 0-3 start when Gabe Schrade hauled in a 30-yard touchdown pass as time expired to give DeLand a 23-22 victory against Daytona Beach Seabreeze. Schrade appeared to lose the ball as hit the ground, but luck intervened.

Mainland

The Daytona Beach school overcame a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter of a 6A region quarterfinal and dodged several late-game scoring threats by Lakeland Lake Gibson to win 49-42.

Osceola

Davenport Ridge Community scored on a 65-yard touchdown pass in the final seconds and had momentum, but the Polk County team inexplicably went for two in a 7A region semifinal. The Kowboys stopped the conversion to win 29-28.